Reviews (36)

Fimbrethil · 22 May 2026 · Chapter 2: Settling In

That dinner was intense. I would like to comment on the ages, specifically how old Éomer was when his sister met Faramir. In 3019, Boromir and Théodred would have turned 41. They were born in 2978. Faramir was five years younger, born in 2983, so he would turn 36 in 3019. Éomer was born in 2991, I believe, so about 13 years younger than his cousin (so the 28 and 15 ages mentioned earlier were correct, though if it is 3005 they should be a year younger?). Anyway, that means Éomer would turn 30 in 3021, and in 3019 he turned 28. Éowyn was born 2995, so 24 in 3019 when she met Faramir. She was 26 in 3021. I hope this helps whoever would like to find it.

Fimbrethil · 22 May 2026 · Chapter 1: The Arrival

Oh yes, I will add that I thought the stars were specifically Elendil's (Númenor/Palentíri) so they wouldn't be on Boromir's or Faramir's cloths. B and F would just have the tree.

Fimbrethil · 22 May 2026 · Chapter 1: The Arrival

Wow, I never thought Théodred would like books so much. Is he perhaps, the best of both brothers?

SimplegirlfromLP · 28 May 2019 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

I enjoyed the banter between Faramir and Boromir. I didn’t understandv belie doesn’t what the issue was a dinner that got Eomer yelled at and banished. How you have portrayed Theodred and Boromir as fun loving but still serious warriors, was great. I even liked a young Eomer , cocky and arrogant, temperamental with little self-control and lots of hero worship of Boromir and Theodred. The Faramir Character is not at all How I would have imagined Faramir. Yes, he is the sensitive, lover-of-lea seemrning kind of guy, but a warrior nonetheless. He is Boromir, just a 5 to 7 decibels version of him. It does not seem believable that a 23 yr old would allow a 15 yr old to goad Him. Please finish this story, I really enjoyed

Rugi · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

It looks like you have stopped adding to this story but I think that it still works as a story and does feel too unfinished or anything. I love how you portray Eomer - he is at such a difficult age - not an adult yet but torn between wanting to be one and wanting to be a child. A nice a fair portrayal of a teenager who will grow up to be a great man. I really like all the Boromir hero-worship. He is the perfect older brother. I also like how you show him as a smoothing force between his difficult father and the rest of the world. Denethor has many admirable qualities but I don't think I would want him at a dinner party. And I like your Faramir. As wise, learned, noble, and wonderful as he is, he is still sick, mourning the loss of his horse, dealing with a difficult home-life and difficult life in general, and is 23 years old. I think a few flashes of temper show that he hasn't fully grown into himself yet and is a human young man. I love the scene where he shows Eomer the stars - a nice portrayal of his empathy that will only increase with time. I'd also like to (quietly) ask for the story to go on. It has been a while, but I would still read it with great pleasure.

Peredhel · 10 June 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

This is a fascinating story . . . I found it several months ago, but it doesn't seem any longer! (Alas.) Just thought I'd leave a review. Théodred is excellent. I like the idea that he might have been a bit more bookish than Rohirrim are in general, although canonically, he probably wouldn't have known the "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" song. Is his impressive knowledge of Sindarin due to his grandmother Morwen? I love his easy friendship with Boromir. They were, after all, the same age (born the same year), and also killed by orcs in the same year (possibly by the same orcs). Both Faramir and Éomer agree that Boromir was more like a man of Rohan than of Gondor, although they disagree about whether this is a Good Thing or not. Éomer is also very well done. His voice is near-perfect -- the proud, prickly adolescent who is determined not to be a child but is not yet ready to take on the responsibilities of an adult. And he thinks he knows everything. He is perhaps too prickly -- he clearly feels the Rohirric way of life is superior, and I have trouble seeing him as quite so defensive as he is here. It's a minor issue though, and otherwise he is very consistent with his LotR adult self. Oh, a minor nitpicking detail on Éomer and Théodred. They would not have had brown hair. Éomer was very distinctly described as golden-haired in the books. Théodred would have either been fair, like the Rohirrim, or black-haired, like his grandmother (who ultimately came of the line of the Princes of Dol Amroth). Genetically speaking, I think his chances are about even either way. On to Faramir. To be perfectly honest, I found no difficulty in the first two chapters. He is, after all, a pureblooded Númenórean, and as Pippin observes in LotR, there is an aloofness inherent in that. The fact that he is likened to wizards and Elves rather than Men I think indicates that there is something otherworldly about him, which Éomer would doubtless find creepy and off-putting. Add some of his more unusual capabilities into the bargain and I wouldn't be surprised if Éomer started shrieking "Witch!" (Just kidding. Or mostly.) Poor kid. Now, he's clearly sick, has lost his horse (who he would have been very attached to), is having a bad time anyway, and here comes this snot-nosed Rohirric kid taking offence at everything he says -- well, I can see him as getting rather annoyed. However, by chapter three, he seems to be having serious issues. Faramir is proud, grave, and reserved; I can't seem him shouting out of the blue. In LotR, he is very resilient and even-tempered, although there is a core of steel behind his gentle, tractable exterior. He's very dangerous if you get on his wrong side. However, it takes quite a lot to put you there, so if there is, as you say, an explanation forthcoming for his erratic behaviour, it will need to be a very good one. I did like Boromir's relationship with Faramir and his concern for him. Very Boromir. Also the line about how Faramir would not only explain the mural, but the entire history of mural-painting since the fall of Númenor. Perfect. I hope this wasn't too long and pedantic . . . I think you've got a really great story in the works.

eokat · 20 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

So glad to another chapter of this story. Poor Eomer, he is such a believable 15 year old. Look forward to your next chapter, not so long this time please. Eokat.

Faith · 19 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

I LOVE IT! LOVE IT! this whole site rocks! ive already read tons of stuff on here...i love it...update soon! sooner than soon! sooner than sooner than soon! youre fic rocks! NO MARY-SUE Leglomances woo hoo! *does the happy dance yay! anyway i love your fic it totally rocks...keep up the good work....:) Faith

lmw · 18 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

I'm really enjoying this story. Very glad to see another chapter. I felt bad for Eomer earlier on - he's definitely my favourite, but here, I felt SO bad for him! All he wanted to do was ride and enjoy the wide-open spaces, and to have his 'hero' tell him off, deservedly, but still, and that the others knew...very well done. Sounds like Faramir's had a rough time, and everyone's entitled to be crabby sometime - can't wait to find out why. Keep writing.

Tathar · 18 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

Yaaaaaaaaaay, an update!!! I still love this story. *sighs happily* You just made my day! :D As to your questions... 1) leading reins - well, I'm American, and I used to ride quite a bit, but I honestly can't recall what term we used. I think that either will do. Certainly it doesn't detract from the story at all if you use them interchangeably, at least for me. 2) the endings - they're just fine, I think! You know, it's always disappointing to come to the end of a chapter in a fanfic you really enjoy, but you're handling them brilliantly. :) 3) regarding Faramir - I admit that at first I was a little startled to find a *cross* Faramir (it's not really a common occurance, at least not in most of the fanfic I've read)... but by now I'm more able to understand *why* he's cross. (And after all he IS human... I mean, if *Frodo* can be cross sometimes, Faramir certainly can! ;)) So it doesn't bother me at all, and in fact it's kind of refreshing to see such a great character portrayed in a slightly different way than usual! And we all know that Faramir isn't a normally crabby kind of guy, anyway... He's bound to snap out of it eventually. ;) I also just wanted to mention that I continue to LOVE your portrayals of Eomer, Boromir, and Theodred as well. Having a great fondness for all three of them, I'm just thrilled to find a fanfic that has all of them together! :D Oh yes, and you said that you will get around to explaining any Sindarin-based or Old English names/words you've used, but if you happen to have the information handy, I'd love to know the definition of just one - "deore". I think I can kind of guess at its meaning, but being the language buff that I am I'd love to know the specific definition. (The scene where Eomer uses "deore" was one of my favorites in this chapter, incidentally.) :D Whoops, sorry! I didn't mean to ramble quite so much. I guess I'll leave you alone now. But I hope the next chapter will be posted soon, because I can't wait to read it! :)

daw the minstrel · 18 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

Avon, I hope you don't mind but I've been thinking about this some more while I was supposed to be working and I thought of a specific example of what I meant. Right now, when Faramir snaps at Eomer for crowding him when they first start their ride, he just seems crabby. But earlier he was reading. Maybe he's not just being scholarly Faramir but is seeking a certain amount of solitude, of isolation from others. So maybe he rides a little apart and then Eomer's horse crowds him. Then his snapping would seem more motivated by what he's been doing before then and not just crankiness.

daw the minstrel · 18 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

I read a draft of this chapter on LJ and was very intrigued by it. I wandered around for quite a while wondering what had happened to Faramir that has put him in his current state. And the characterizations of the other three are well done. Eomer and Theodred are very Rohirric, and Eomer is a believable 15 year old. So all this is a good sign. You have me caught. But I did have some trouble with Faramir. I can accept him grouchy and troubled. The trick is not to also make him seem childish. I thought "What would you know?" sounded childish. I could more easily accept it if he'd said something like "Hold your ignorant tongue." The other thing is that he seems to be grouchy and then sympathetic and then snappish again. I can see you're trying to motivate the sympathy with the scolding from Theodred, but then I thought he took offense too easily at the remark that Boromir was not of Rohan. His reply was insulting. Perhaps something more like a sarcastic "we cannot all be so fortunate." I don't know. I think his mood shifts need to be smoothed out or motivated a little more clearly. The other thing was I was surprised that Boromir made the "you're supposed to be a captain" remark. I just didn't think he'd do that given that Faramir is having some sort of problem, especially if Boromir knows what it is and also especially in front of people.

robnrun · 18 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

Hi, really enjoying this story; I like the interaction and the tension between Eomer and Faramir at this point. I can definitely put up with Faramir's current state of mind, as long as you explain it at some point, please. On leading reins vs lead lines: the former is a more typically British expression (I believe); but the other way they are used is that if one is leading a horse (with or without a rider) from the Back of another horse one should use a leading rein, whereas a horse led on foot is usually handled with a lead line. The other difference is that of course a leading rein is used on a bridle, a lead line should only be attached to a halter. But in my experience the fundamental difference is the mounted/unmounted one. Leading a horse from another horse is typically called ponying, by the way.

keela · 18 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

I am enjoying your writing of everyone except Faramir. He seems a complete 180 change from his canon characterization, if that's what you're going for. Granted, it's normal for everyone to be grumpy at times, but he comes off here as very cold, selfish, and somewhat snotty. An explanation would be gladly appreciated :)

Lackwit · 18 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

I forgot to mention that I thought Éomer's apology and Faramir's response (that's more like it! :) ) were excellently done and a good way to close the scene. The ending itself was fairly neutral; as it appears the fic is primarily from Éomer's POV you may wish to end with more of that.

Lackwit · 18 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

I have heard and used "leading reins"; as I am Canadian it could be of either American or British origin here. To respond to your questions on Faramir's characterization: My initial reactions were quite negative, so before I replied I went back and reread the chapters. Having done so, I would say that given what the reader knows it's not unbelievable but will be if it continues without a reason pretty soon. Up to now I find Faramir too surly and personally would like to see a little more of his noble side. I think he would have hidden his unhappiness better from their guests if only due to good manners. He's a little too rough with Éomer as I expect he would have easily understood that Éomer is young and feeling out of his depth. Also, while Faramir is bookish, some of his behavior and distance almost makes him appear to be sulking, even beyond Éomer's POV; Faramir is a very reserved character but not quite so much. Boromir's rebuke was painful but justified. Right now we have seen very little of the man loved by his fellows, and every time he does show a hint of it (e.g. his sympathy for Éomer's scolding) he goes on and acts like a total pill; frankly i can agree with Éomer's nasty dig. There seems to be a significant maturity gap between Faramir and Boromir or Théodred that is greater than chronological age would indicate- is that your intent? It is true that Faramir can be pushed too far so in that respect his rude outburst to Éomer (he totally did not cover himself with glory in the horse incident) is not unexpected. While I personally would find it increasingly OOC if Faramir *continues* in this behavior without a very strong hint soon of why he is behaving like this, outbursts are quite believable IMHO. Of course, if the reason for his behavior is potent, then in retrospect all the above would make sense. But I am not sure that revealing the reason very late is the best story design for chapter-by-chapter updates. I should note that your other characterizations are very good, which is probably why Faramir's sticks out so. Boromir (I am developing quite a passion for that man lately) and Théodred are charming. Éomer is cute! I liked the feeling with which he compared dining at home to the mannered behavior at the Steward's table; his love for Rohan comes off strongly. I hope the above makes sense. Don't get me wrong, I very much enjoy this story and its details!

Raksha The Demon · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 3: A Morning Ride

<> As a devout Faramirist, I am enjoying this story. I do find Faramir's exasperation with Eomer during the dinner, and his angry retort ('what would you know' I think it was) in this chapter to be unusual - even at 23, Faramir should be more of a well-mannered host to their guests, especially when Eomer is very young and inexperienced compared to him. I don't understand why Faramir is riding the gentle mare while the others are showing off fiery stallions - Faramir will be known later for his skill with horses. Is he so physically fragile that he can't control a more feisty horse? Why would Eomer think him weak; do men of the Mark jump up on their stallions to show off while recovering from fevers? And was Faramir relieved of his command; he's very touchy about it? The writing is very good; so I'm hoping that Faramir's unusually prickly/immature behavior will be explained later. He's enough of his usual intelligent and deep-minded self that he's far from unbelievable. I will read future chapters, and try to have patience. Oh, as cute as the image of Faramir reading a book while the others saddle up is, isn't it rather a rude thing to do when one is out with guests?

Nienna Elanesse · 21 May 2004 · Chapter 1: The Arrival

My last review sounded "arch" I fear. I will try to do better with this one. Ah yes, 15-yr-old boys -- Especially those who are named "famous horseman"! -- They don't know whether they are fish or fowl. It sounds real. Characterisation is great. The merry banter between B & T is spot on. Theodred is not a rube. Nor is Eomer, 'though he has some sorry experiences in the future that will test his soul and his courage. Must break off and return to my responsibilities. ha ha

Nienna Elanesse · 20 May 2004 · Chapter 2: Settling In

How old was Eomer when he met a 41-year-old Faramir as his brother-in-law? 36? Chuckle :) He can't sense that Faramir asks about Rohan's legends and myths because he is curious and because he is trying to make his guest feel comforted, if not comfortable. At first I thought you were pushing the "scholarly" aspect of Faramir a bit far. But then you mentioned his age. Click! everything fell into place. Where else and in who else would he find comfort? In books and in Boromir. Interesting portrayal of Theodred, btw.

LKK · 19 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Settling In

Poor Eomer. What a way to spend your first evening in Minas Tirith -- sitting between Denethor and Faramir, trying to understand why Denethor and your beloved cousin are having some verbal battle. You really made me feel for the young lad, Avon. Nicely done. Your characters are starting to firm up; become more defined. Faramir is still something of a mystery though, at least when seen through Eomer's eyes. I am interested in seeing if the youngster eventually comes to understand the underlying tenses within the Steward's family. A well-written chapter. The dialogue at dinner, filtered through Eomer's ears, was especially good. LKK

eokat · 19 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Settling In

Avon, this was so intense. I almost felt like I were dining in that ungodly room with them. Poor Eomer, he is at such an awkward age, feeling himself unworthy. I loved the desription of a Rhorriric dining hall with dozons of folk around, just as I had imagined it to be. Theodred is such a strong character, so underused in many fanfics. Loved it. Looking forward to the next one.

Layangabi · 17 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Settling In

Avon--- Lack of plot is so not an issue. This is *wonderful.* :D I love your easy-going depiction of Boromir, the easy camaraderie between him and Theoden, and of course, Eomer's hero-worship of Boromir and his misunderstandings regarding Faramir. (sad...but understandable. And hopefully, this will change very soon...they're going to be brothers in law in the future, after all) And Faramir's a special favourite and you write him so wonderfully. ;) How my heart clenched just before they joined Denethor and later when he burst out at his older brother. ;-; Hopefully, this will be a very long story, yes? :D

Carol · 16 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Settling In

This was fun... I would like to write more. There aren't many stories about Eomer, and I think this is the first one I've ever seen to portray him when he was younger. The cameraderie between Boromir and Theodred comes to life quite vividly. So does Eomer's adolescent tendency for everything to be a crisis.

daw the minstrel · 16 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Settling In

You do details so wonderfully, Avon. I can see the silent dining room and the good food. And the way you show us things through Eomer's eyes is so well done. He can't understand the conversation between Theodred and Denethor but we can. I feel rather bad that he misjudges Faramir so, but I can see why it would happen. Just a great chapter.

Muinthel · 16 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Settling In

well well...finally an update!! I just love the way you characterize Faramir. He is one of my fav. characters and I like it that we get to know him more and more through the eyes of Eomer. It will be fun to experience more of the city and the gondorian way with Eomer...! I'll stay with your story!!! And do not be nervous...just stay true to your style!!